Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Kay Kirkpatrick. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Storylines, 2015

Kay Kirkpatrick
American (born 1957)

Location: Yakima Valley College, Yakima

About the Artwork

‘Storylines' by artist Kay Kirkpatrick celebrates the rich cultural diversity and history found within the Yakima Valley community, at the heart of central Washington. It layers images with text drawn from student writings and life stories. Kirkpatrick's design draws its imagery and inspiration from the "Ititamatpama," a memory device historically used by Yakama Tribal women. Made up of balls of string and knotted with beads, shells, and other objects, these devices allow their creators to wordlessly record and remember important life events. Integrated into the Palmer-Martin Building at Yakima Valley College, the artwork pays homage to the facility as a center for language and visual arts.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Yakima Valley College.

About the Artist

Kay Kirkpatrick's interest in public art grew from her background in ceramics, mixed media sculpture, and installation art. Her artworks emphasize the interaction between humans and nature via intersecting patterns and meanings. Her public art often includes in depth research about the site's context and culture.
Born in Colorado, Kirkpatrick is now based in Seattle. She received a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in ceramics at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She also completed a Master of Library and Information Science degree at the University of Washington in Seattle, because of her interest in research for many of her public art projects.